BMW X7 [UK] (2019)

Three rows of seats; room for seven adults to sit comfortably

The BMW X7 has three rows of seats that offer space for up to seven adults. The third row has two full-size seats with space between them - a first for a 4x4. A standard-fit glass roof adds to the spacious feel while cupholders and armrests integrated into the side panel trim offer additional comfort.

The second row includes three seats in a conventional rear-seat bench configuration although customers can specify two individual seats that offer the same functionality and adjustment range as the front seats. These optional seats feature integrated armrests, comfort cushions and cup-holders extended from the front centre console.

In both the standard and optional configuration, the second-row seats can slide longitudinally through 14.5mm (in seven-seater form). Adjustment of the fore/aft position - like all other seat positions and backrest angles - is electric, and the backrests in the second and third rows fold down electrically. The seats in the second row can also be tilted forward to make getting in and out as easy as possible for third-row passengers. The second-row seats can be returned to their upright position at the touch of a button, at which point child seats can be fixed in place using the ISOFIX attachments.

The fore/aft position of the second-row seats is adjusted using a control panel integrated into the driver's door. Drivers can also slide both their own seat and the front-passenger's backwards and forwards at the touch of a button. This will increase both legroom and ease of entry/exit for the passengers in the second and third row of seats, as required. From the boot, the backrests of the second- and third-row seats can also be folded down and back up again, while and the second-row seats can also be moved fore and aft.

Boot capacity is 326 litres and increases to a maximum 2,120 litres when the backrests of the seats in the second and third rows are folded down. The standard air suspension allows the car to be lowered (at the touch of a button in the boot, via the display key or rocker switch within the centre console) to make loading easier. The new BMW X7 features a two-section split tailgate, both elements of which have electric opening and closing as standard. If the optional Comfort Access is specified, the tailgate opens and closes automatically and hands-free.

The standard individual Extended Merino leather trim and optional BMW Individual full Merino leather trim are both available in five colour variants. The standard comfort seats for the driver and front passenger are heated and can be ordered with a ventilation function as an option. The seats in the second and third rows are also heated, while the front row can be specified with optional massage capability.

Standard three-part panoramic glass roof

The BMW X7 features an electrically-operated panoramic glass roof as standard. The front, central and rear glass elements all have an electrically sliding headliner activated from a control panel in the front section of the roof. If the optional electric sun blinds for the windows in the rear doors are specified, rear passengers gain a button for operating the headliner.

The Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge, meanwhile, features LED lighting spread evenly across the glass surfaces to illuminate more than 15,000 graphic patterns and generate a display reminiscent of a starlit sky.

Four-zone automatic climate control is standard, but customers can opt for a five-zone automatic climate control system with separate control panel and additional air vents for the third row of seats. The Ambient Air package that infuses the interior with eight individually selectable scents is optional as is a centre console cupholder that can cool or warm as required. Wireless mobile phone charging in the tray ahead of the cupholders is also standard.

Customers can choose six colour tones and a variety of settings for interior lighting via the iDrive control system. The BMW X7 features the Welcome Light Carpet, which illuminates the entry area to the car when the doors are unlocked or opened. It also features the Dynamic Interior Light that emits pulsating light signals on the inner panelling of an open door when the engine is running and on the instrument panel in response to an incoming phone call.

A ten-speaker hi-fi comes as standard, while the optional Harman Kardon surround sound system features 16 speakers. Customers can specify the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 20 speakers and 1,500-watt amplifier. The optional Rear-Seat Entertainment Professional system comprises a pair of 10.2-inch full-HD touchscreen displays, Blu-ray-compatible DVD player, two USB ports, HDMI socket and two headphone jacks. The third row of seats has access to two further USB ports. The X7 uses the latest BMW Operating System 7.0 display and control system, which allows those in rear to select and operate entertainment functions. The rear-seat passengers can use both their own media sources and those available in the front compartment. A navigation map and BMW ConnectedDrive services can also be accessed in the rear seats.

Bespoke interior elements

The luxurious interior features contrast stitching on the seats, trim elements in the colours of M GmbH and design variations for the illuminated door sill plates. The M Sport model also features an M Sport steering wheel, a BMW Individual headliner in anthracite-coloured Alcantara, M-specific detailing for the pedals, driver's footrest and plus exclusive interior trim strips.

Specially selected options from BMW Individual include extended Merino leather trim which is standard across all variants or optional bi-colour BMW Individual Merino full leather trim in Ivory White/Midnight Blue. BMW Individual fine wood interior trim strips are also available.

Engines

The engine line-up includes a newly developed a six-cylinder in-line petrol unit for the BMW X7 xDrive40i and a pair of six-cylinder in-line diesels to power the BMW X7 xDrive30d and BMW X7 M50d M Performance models. Petrol and diesel units feature turbochargers and are aligned to eight-speed Steptronic transmission, which has a wider gear ratio spread and new control electronics. This reduces engine speeds, particularly in higher gears, which helps to increase overall efficiency.

xDrive all-wheel drive with increased efficiency and electronically controlled rear differential lock

The BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system now varies how the drive torque is split between the front and rear wheels to provide better handling. It links up with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and, for added efficiency, full-drive power can be directed to the rear wheels in situations where all-wheel drive is not required, or for more sportier driving.

An M Sport differential is fitted as standard on the BMW X7 M50d and in conjunction with the Off-Road package. This electronically controlled rear differential lock also hooks up with the DSC system. This set-up combines to reduce understeer and makes a notable difference when exiting corners. It also increases traction on loose surfaces or roads that require differing levels of grip for the left and right rear wheels.

Chassis technology

The chassis of the BMW X7 features a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle combination to provide maximum ride comfort and agile handling. Ride comfort is further enhanced by its two-axle air suspension with standard-fit automatic self-levelling. The new BMW X7 M50d features the M Sport differential, exclusive 22-inch M light-alloy wheels finished in cerium grey and a model-specific chassis set-up. When SPORT mode is engaged, or the car's speed exceeds 86mph, the ride height is automatically lowered by 20mm.

The driver is also able to adjust the body's ground clearance - for off-road driving, for example - by pushing a button in the cockpit to raise it in two stages up to 40mm above the standard setting. Another button in the luggage compartment activates a loading mode that lowers the car by 40mm. The next time the engine is started, the system will automatically revert to the last mode selected. The ride height can also be set with the engine switched off using the buttons in the car or the optional BMW Display Key.

Integral Active Steering is available as an option. By turning the rear wheels in either the same or the opposite direction as the front ones, it offers nimble cornering and effortless lane changes. It is particularly useful in city traffic and when parking in tight spots.Customers can select the Executive Drive Pro option, which adds active roll stabilisation for assured handling and has the added effect of increasing straight-line driving comfort by countering the vibrations triggered by bumps on one side of the road.

The Off-Road package is available for all model variants apart from the BMW X7 M50d and it features its own special graphics in the instrument cluster and Control Display, as well as an extra button on the centre console for selecting four driving modes - xSnow, xSand, xGravel and xRocks. Drivers can activate the ideal settings for the vehicle's ride height, the xDrive system, accelerator response, transmission control and the DSC system's corrective inputs depending on conditions.

Driving Assistant Professional

The optional Driving Assistant Professional package includes Cruise Control with braking function, as well as the Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking that can alert the driver when a cyclist is detected, are standard. The optional Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function can bring car to a halt then set it back on its way automatically. To make the driver's life easier in stop-start traffic, the maximum length of time the car can wait before pulling away again automatically after it has come to a halt is 30 seconds.

This system also provides Steering and Lane Control Assistant and Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection. The Steering and Lane Control Assistant can also guide the vehicle through narrow channels, such as roadworks. The system's hands-on-wheel detection recognises contact even when only a few fingers briefly touch the wheel.

The package also includes Lane Change Assistant, which is activated by using the indicator stalk. Another component of the system is the evasion aid, which can help avoid collisions with vehicles or pedestrians suddenly appearing in the driver's path by helping the driver direct the vehicle into a clear adjacent lane with steering inputs.

Another feature is Crossing Traffic Warning, which reduces the risk of a collision when manoeuvring forwards, or in reverse, towards crossing traffic where visibility is restricted. Rear Collision warning, Priority warning, Wrong-way warning and Lane Change Warning also form part of the Driving Assistant Professional package. The latest version of Lane Departure Warning now includes active steering inputs to bring the vehicle back into the intended lane.

Parking Assistant Plus with Reversing Assistant

Parking Assistant Plus is standard across all BMW X7 variants. This includes a rear-view camera, while Top View, Panorama View and 3D View functions which all work together to create a 360° image of the vehicle and the surrounding area on the Control Display. The Remote 3D View function additionally gives drivers the ability to call up a three-dimensional live image of their vehicle and its immediate vicinity on their smartphone.

Another system available within this package is Reversing Assistant, which offers automated reversing in confined spaces such as in multi-storey car parks or entrances to courtyards. It can reverse the vehicle for distances of up to 50 metres by steering it along the same line it took when moving forward: all the driver has to do is operate the accelerator and brake pedals with speed limited to 5.5mph. The steering movements made during the vehicle's last forward manoeuvre are stored and retained, even for longer periods. This means the Reversing Assistant can be used to manoeuvre the new BMW X7 backwards out of a parking position that it drove into forwards the preceding day, for example.

BMW Connected and ConnectedDrive

Standard equipment on the X7 includes the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, a digital helper that responds to the prompt "Hey BMW". The BMW Intelligent Personal marks the start of a new era in which drivers will increasingly be able to operate their car, access its functions and obtain information simply by speaking. Updates to this system will be continuous and can be made on a smartphone and in-car via the Remote Software Upgrade functionality.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant learns routines and learns the driver's preferences such as seat heating settings or the places they navigate to frequently ("Take me home"). Unlike other systems, the driver can give the assistant a name, and it can even provide casual conversation. Saying "Hey BMW, I'm cold" will prompt the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to adjust the temperature inside the car accordingly. The assistant gets better with every command given, every question asked and every setting made.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is also able to explain all sorts of different functions, for example "How does the High Beam Assistant work?", it can provide status updates of the car with regards to fuel and oil levels and help to answer a range of other questions. It can even activate a range of functions to enhance well-being. For instance, "Hey BMW, I feel tired" triggers a programme that adjusts the lighting mood, music and temperature to make the driver feel more awake.

It can log frequent destinations, find available parking spaces, provide traffic and remind the driver when to set off for an appointment. The assistant's integration with Microsoft Office 365 and Skype for Business transforms the BMW X7 into a voice-controlled mobile office and it can even enable the driver to join teleconferences when required through one press of the iDrive controller.

With the driver's consent, passengers can connect their smartphone to the car using the Connected Command function and then use it to control functions such as navigation, climate control or on-board entertainment.

Intelligent Personal Assistant is part of the standard specification (with a subscription period of three years from build) along with the Live Cockpit Professional and the new BMW Operating System 7.0.

BMW Digital Key

The BMW Digital Key employs Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow the BMW X7 to be locked and unlocked from a compatible smartphone. Holding the smartphone up to the door handle opens the car and, once inside, the engine can be started as soon as the phone has been placed in the wireless charging or smartphone tray. Accessible via the BMW Connected app, the Digital Key offers unrivalled flexibility as the driver can share it with up to five other people. The BMW Digital Key is available for NFC-capable Samsung Galaxy smartphones running Android 8.1 and above. Alternatively, customers can use the BMW Key Card which is supplied with the car.

Connected Navigation

Connected Navigation offers a range of digital services to make route planning both in the car and away from it, much easier. With this new technology drivers can send destinations from the BMW Connected app straight to their car's navigation system and the most important destinations will be stored, meaning important addresses can be accessed from any device at any time. A new feature is the Parking Space Assistant, which proposes various parking options to the driver in good time before the destination is reached. This service includes providing information on the nearest multi-storey car park as well as proposing routes offering a good chance of finding a parking spot close to the destination. The existing On-Street Parking Information has also been incorporated into the scope of functions that form Connected Navigation.

BMW Operating System 7.0 display and control concept

The all-new instrument cluster and Control Display is designed to help drivers concentrate on the road ahead. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional, fitted as standard, comprises a fully digital, high resolution information display behind the steering wheel and a Control Display that each have a screen diagonal of 12.3-inches. This package also features an adaptive navigation system and a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 20GB of memory.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional drivers get all the benefits of the new BMW Operating System 7.0, which offers drivers more ways to customise the system to their own preferences: even the vehicle mock-up on the display matches the model colour and equipment line.

In the main menu on the Control Display, the driver can configure up to ten pages, each showing two to four widgets with live content. The Control Display graphics adapt depending on the operating method and the voice control system (based on natural language understanding) is better than ever before. The standard BMW Gesture control now works with two extra gestures, bringing the total to seven. Depending on the situation, the driver can choose from the familiar iDrive Controller, the steering wheel controls, touch control, voice control or gesture control.

Apple CarPlay is also included as standard on the new BMW X7 for a one year subscription. After this stage customers can extend the service based on their needs for one year, three year or lifetime periods of time.

New or existing services can be added at any time. In the future, BMW customers will be able to download additional digital services from the ConnectedDrive Store and install them in their car via Remote Software Upgrade. Services can be booked in this way for various periods of time to suit customer requirements.

The BMW X7 went on sale in the UK from April 2019, with OTR prices starting from £72,195.